St. Bonaventure University and its president have been selected to receive the “Business Enterprising” and “L.O.U.I.E.” awards at the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce (GOACC) Annual Dinner on Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Premier Banquet Center in Olean.
University President Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., S.T.D., will receive the L.O.U.I.E (Love of Olean United In Enterprise) for her inspiring and outstanding leadership and achievement in service provision and advocacy on behalf of people in our communities.
Ted Branch, GOACC board president, said that the L.O.U.I.E. is presented annually to an “exceptional person who epitomizes the enterprising spirit and the qualities embodied in the life of Louis Marra; Sr. Margaret is deserving of that award and recognition.” Sr. Margaret was named president of the university in 2004.
Erick J. Laine, chairman of the board of Alcas Corporation and a previous L.O.U.I.E. Award recipient, nominated Sr. Margaret for the honor.
“Sr. Margaret has a marvelous skill of approaching people in the community, getting to know them and then having them become ‘one of the Bonaventure team.’ She has consciously worked to reach out to engage the community. Through her very capable leadership, Sr. Margaret Carney gave people in the community and at the University, the faith to start rebuilding,” said Laine.
The 2008 “Business Enterprising Award” will be presented this year to St. Bonaventure, which began its 15-month Sesquicentennial celebration in March. The Enterprising Business Award is the highest distinction for a business given by the Chamber’s 733 members. The award is given annually to a privately-owned business in the greater Olean area that demonstrates a well-planned, thorough and serious approach to business development and exemplifies the unique “hometown” charm of the area in manners of administration, customer service and quality of product.
“Over the past 150 years, St. Bonaventure has earned a reputation for academic excellence and the extraordinary character of its students, paving the way for the success of its 25,000 graduates,” said John Sayegh, GOACC chief operating officer.
Tickets for the event are $40. An informal reception will start at 6 p.m., with the dinner slated for 7 p.m. Patron dinner tickets for $50 and corporate tables of eight for $500 are also available to reserve. Patrons and corporates receive a listing in the dinner program. Please call Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce at 372-4433 for reservations or more information on the dinner ceremony.